B&W Nuclear Operations Group
Mount Vernon, Indiana
Overview
Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.'s (B&W NOG) facility in Mount Vernon, Ind., is located at the southwestern tip of Indiana, 18 miles west of Evansville. The plant sits high on the banks of the Ohio River at the hub of the inland waterways, which facilitates economical shipment of heavy metal products worldwide. Situated on a 100-acre site, the facility has 600,000 square feet of shop area and a 1,000-ton lift capacity from the shop to the river. The Mount Vernon facility utilizes very large CNC machine tools coupled with sophisticated welding and heat treating equipment to produce large and heavy components with close dimensional tolerances and demanding quality requirements. Operating under stringent quality programs, our employees provide exceptional value for our customers.
Mission
Mount Vernon meets our customers' exacting standards by developing innovative solutions and executing efficient processes to provide affordable, high quality components and services in a safe, secure and flexible work environment, thereby ensuring a rewarding future for our employees and the B&W Company.
Recent Accomplishments
- Facility built to support the commercial nuclear industry and was recently upgraded and modernized.
- Manufactured more than 100 heavy components for commercial nuclear power generation and through government contracts.
- Only domestic manufacturer of heavy pressure vessels to hold ASME nuclear accreditation.
- Outstanding safety record that continues to improve through the use of human performance initiatives.
- Continuous improvement sought in all facets of its business via Lean Six Sigma.
Future
Mount Vernon continues to focus on providing our customers with on-time delivery of high-quality, affordable products. During the coming years, we expect to expand production through coupling our highly skilled workforce and professional staff. Mount Vernon continues to upgrade its equipment capabilities and capacities. This effective integration of personnel strengths/talents with state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities provides customers, employees and communities with top-quality products, growth opportunities and positive business conditions respectively. The Mount Vernon facility is primed to meet the manufacturing needs of the commercial nuclear industry and looks forward to being a major player in the revitalization of nuclear energy.
Infrastructure
- The main manufacturing bay of the Mount Vernon facility is serviced by two 500-ton cranes, which extend over a barge dock on the Ohio River. With 1,000 tons combined lift capacity, these cranes are accessible to ocean-going barges, providing import and export capability of heavy components to the world.
- Recent and continuous upgrades in equipment capabilities including multiple, large, full-contouring CNC horizontal and vertical machining centers, large gantry robotic welding centers and state-of-the-art support equipment for machining and welding.
- The Mount Vernon facility has heavy haul truck access and rail access to the dock facility and manufacturing areas of the plant.
- Applied Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics/Heat Transfer Processes
- Metallurgy/Materials Engineering
- Welding/Robotics Engineering
- Integrated CAD/CAM Computer Systems
- R&D Programs focused on product improvement
Engineering Capabilities:
- Various automatic, manual and robotic welding equipment and processes to support capabilities in carbon, alloy, ferritic and austenitic stainless steels, aluminum, inconel and copper alloys
- Precision machining
- Computer controlled furnaces for heat treating and annealing
- Specialized non-destructive examination equipment for radiographic, ultrasonic, eddy current, magnetic particle, remote visual, dye penetrant and hydrostatic testing Portable laser tracker coordinate measuring equipment and various touch probe inspection capabilities.
- ASME Certificates of Authorization (Code Stamps) for Design & Manufacture (N, NA, NPT)
- Heavy lift cranes
- Large multi-axis gantry robots
Manufacturing Capabilities:
Workforce
- Approximately 140 people are employed at the Mount Vernon facility.
- In-plant facilities for welding certification.
Community Impact
The company has a long history of contributing both financially and through volunteer support to many local charities and civic organizations including the local United Way, Red Cross, Relay for Life, Chamber of Commerce, Educational/Scholarship programs and other community-related initiatives.
